Well cleaning device



July 21, 1936. J, T. BARKr-:Lx-:w 2,048,095

WELL @MEANINGk DEVICE July 2l, 1936.

J. T. BARKELEW 2,048,095

WELL CLEANNG DEVICE Filed Feb. 4, 1935 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 flormy.

july 2l, 1935 J. T. BARKELEW 2,048,095

WELL CLEAN ING DEVI CE Filed Feb. 4, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ffl p Figi? INM/for 5 dlmeslarlfeleza llrney.

Patented July 2l, 1936 ENT Price WELL CLEANING DEVICE Application February 4, 1935, Serial No. 4,836

32 Claims.

This invention has to do generally with well cleaning devices and is more particularly concerned with such devices wherein there is provided a low-pressure-holding or charge-receiving chamber with a normally closed inlet adapted to be opened at predetermined points in the well whereby the well iluid, under relatively high after each charging and after the tool has been lifted from the well, it will be understood the illustrated inlet valve for said chamber and the valve-control mechanism may be applied with advantage to the inlet of any type of low pressure chamber, irrespective of the manner in which the charged chamber is subsequently emptied or prepared for :re-charge, and therefore the showing of the invention as embodied in connection with a particular type of chamber is not to be considered as limitative on such broader aspects of the invention.

In this connection it is to be noted that in dislodging foreign matter from casing perforations or otherwise promoting fluid ow by setting up uid movement by the charging of the receiving chamber, (as distinguished from bailing) the matter so dislodged is ordinarily, but

not necessarily, forced into the charge receiving chamber and subsequently disposed of along with the fluid charge.

The device will here be described as utilized in the cleaning of casing perforations, to which use it is particularly well adapted, but this particularized description is not to be considered as in any way limitative on the adaptability of the device for other cleaning operations.

the lw pressure chamber be kept tightly closed until the cleaner has reachedthe predetermined zone of operation and yet, in spite of that tight closure and in spite of the usually high uid pressure in that zone, the inlet must be capable of practically instantaneous full-opening, under the (Cl. 18S-19) control of the operator, after reaching that zone. Further, the control mechanism must not only be sure and fast in operation, but, to be fully eillcient, must be of a nature which does not interfere with the rapid lowering `or raising of the device to and from the zone of operation. Further, it must present little or no danger of accidental valve-tripping.

Therefore it is among the general objects of the invention to provide a cleaner which shall have the above desirable features, aswell as others which may be pointed out to better advantage in connection with the detailed description to follow:

It may here be pointed out, however, that the l5 present invention contemplates a cleaner wherein the main inlet valve is, in eilect, downwardlyopening so well-pressure tends to hold it closed. In the absence of compensating means, this ccndition would put upon the valve-opening means 20 a severe and sometimes prohibitive burden where the eiective well-pressure'is of a relatively high value, with a consequent necessity of providing opening means especially designed to overcome the highly resistant forces, with all the attendant complications of mechanism.

It is therefore an objectof the invention to provideA means whereby such a valve may be opened readily and easily in spite of the valveclosing effect of the well iiuid. This is done by providing a pilot or equalizing valve in association with the main valve, the pilot valve offering but little resistance to opening movement and therefore well within the capacity of a simple openingf mechanism. The pilot valve opens into an equalizing chamber to .which the upper end of the main valve is exposed and which is temporarily isolated from the main portion of the low-pressure chamber. The uid pressures thus instantly equalize at opposite sides of the main valve, so the latter comes readily from its seat, allowing full and free access of the pressure iluid to the entire low pressure chamber, the means for temporarily isolating the equalim'ng chamber having been rendered ineil'ective in the meantime.

The invention also broadly contemplates the provision of a single closure member adapted selectively to coact with inlet and outlet openings, the arrangement being such that well pressure is normally eiective to hold the member in inlet-closing position and, after the cleaner is charged, the valve being moved to a position to close the outlet, thus acting as a foot valve. Then, when the charged cleaner is lifted to the surface, it is possible to dump or unload it by shifting the closure to an intermediate position, which may be accomplished in a very simple manner, as will appear. This is in distinguishment from certain prior artdevices wherein a single closure member serves bothv as an inlet and foot valve, but a common opening serves as inlet and outlet, the well pressure being normally eiective in a direction tending to open the inlet, and means separate from this valve being provided for dumping the charge.

Fig.V 1 is a side elevation of a cleaning device embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing certain parts in changed position;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the parts in changed position to agree with the change in Fig. 5;

Figs. '7, 8, 9 and 10 are sections on lines 1 1, 8 8, 9 9, and I0 I0, respectively, of Fig. 5;

Fig. 11 isa view similar to Fig. 5 but showing certain parts in changed position and showing the valve in eleVatio-n;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but showing certain parts in changed position and the main valve in section; and

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the parts changed in position to agree with the position of the parts in Fig. 12.

As has been previously stated, bthe cleaning device is particularly well adapted, but not limited, to the dislodgment of foreign matter from the perforations of well-casings, and therefore I have illustrated the device as positioned within such a perforated casing or screen A having any suitable type of perforations, here conventionally illustrated at B.

Body member C of the cleaning device is here shown as made up, of a plurality of sections coupled end-to-end, though it will be understood the showing of such sectional characteristics is not to be construed as limitative on the invention.

Threadably connected body or casing sections are indicated at I0, II, I2," I3, I4, I5 and I6; section I0 (Fig. 2) serving as ahead or top closure for the charge-receiving or low-pressure chamber D which is annularly defined by sections IU, II, I2 and I3. Attachment section II is threadably connected to section I0 and serves as means whereby the body member may be attached to a suspension element cable I3, for instance. Section II, here shown as longitudinally contracted, may be of any desirable length,

. and may, itself, be sectional. A forty foot length gives chamber D a capacity ample for most operations. l

Head section I 0 has a reduced axial bore I9 from which extends a transverse passageway 20 controlled by a spring-closed, outwardly-opening relief valve generally indicated at 2|. The function of this valve is merely to relieve high pressure in the charging chamber as the tool is raised into Zones of lower pressure. To facilitate unloading of chamber D, I preferably provide an inwardly opening, spring-closed dump relief valve at 22. This valve is fully described and claimed Ain the copending application of W. C. Erwin 'movable screw plug 23 normally closes passageway 24. When chamber D is to be unloaded,

plug 23 is removed and passageway 24 is then adapted to put that chamberinto communication with the atmosphere when the negative pressure therein (as created by the dumping of the fluid) is of a value allowing spring-closed valve 22 to 5 open under atmospheric pressure.

While, as will appear, chamber D may be unloaded by opening a valve which has dual capacity as an inlet-closure and foot-valve, I have illustrated an unloading door independent of and above said valve, the choice as to which dumping means shall be employed lying with the operator, though from some angles, it is preferable that unloading door be omitted. The illustration of these two dumping expedlents therefore is not 15 to be considered as limitative of one or the other or as indicating that both are necessary.

The auxiliary dump is here shown as consisting of a removable dump-door 25 provided in section I2, the construction and mounting of this door being fully described in said copending application Ser. No. 667,439, which also contains claims to these features. The door structure as disclosed in said copending application is like that here illustrated. The door is opened by loosening screws 26 (which normally press the door inwardly to compress gasket Z'I and thus provide a fluid-tight seal) and then sliding the door transverselyl to clear lugs 28 from overhanging lips 29, which latter dene way 30 (Figs. 1 and 2).

Sections I3 and I 5 have internal flanges 3I, 32 defining bores 3Ia and 32a, respectively, which, with section I4 define what may be termed an equalization chamber E. -In certain aspects this 3 chamber may be considered a part of chamber D, the bore 3Ia serving, at times, to put the two chambers into direct communication so they act, in effect, as a single chamber, each receiving a part of the charge from the well. From this viewpoint, chamber D may be considered as made up of relatively large main chamber D' and rela tively Ismall equalizing chamber E.

Section I6 has an internal ange 33 dening bore 33a,y anges 32 andv 33 defining the ends 'of valve-chamber F as annularly defined by section I5. Within chamber F is a main valve or closure generally indicated at 34 which is adapted alternately to function as a main inlet valve and foot valve for chamber D, as will appear, though 50 this dual capacity is not to be considered as limii tative on certain aspects of the invention. Body portion 35 of the closure (provided with guidewings 35a) has conical upper and lower faces 36 and 3l, respectively, which are adapted to oppose valve seats 38 and 33, respectively, when the valve is at opposite ends of its stroke through chamber F (Figs. 5 and 12).

Sleeve or skirt 40 depends from section I6, and section 4Ia of tube 4I is slidably mounted within this sleeve. Collar 42 couples sections 4Ia and 4Ib of tube 4I, while a shoe or guiding nose 43 (Fig. 1) closes the lower end of the bore of section 4Ib. The latter has lateral intake ports 44 which open to the bore or intake duct G which 65 leads to valve 34. Shoe 43 preferably is iluted at 45 so well fluid may pass with minimum interference between the well casing and shoe as the tool is raised or lowered, to obvious advantage.

For controlling or eiecting the opening of valve 70 34 I provide a member 46 mounted for movement longitudinally with respect to body C and engageable with well casing A, plus an operative connection between that member and valve 34 whereby movement of the member with relation to the body sets up or controls movement of the valve. In this particular case, member 46 is carried on tube 4|, and since the latter is telescopically arranged with respect to sleeve 40 it will be seen that the described capacity for relative movement between the body member and member 46 arises from the provision of a slip-joint between the body and an element other than member 46, per se, though the invention, considered in itsbroader aspects, contemplates the mounting of the member directly on but slidable with respect to the body.

Since I have chosen here to show the invention as particularly applied to a device for cleaning casing perforations wherein it becomes preferable to provide a packer for localizing the cleaning effect therebelow, I have indicated the utilization of member 46 both as the element which is operatively connected to the valve for controlling or eiecting the opening thereof and as a packer. However, it will be understood that the invention, considered in its broader aspects, is not limited to having member 46 constructed to have this packing function.

With member 46 in the form of a packer positioned above intake ports 44 (whereby the zone of operation is isolated from the fluid-column in the well-casing above member 46 so the eiect of a sudden charging of chamber D is more or less localized about the intake ports below the packer) it will be seen that the packer obstructs the space between the cleaner and well casing, and, when the packer is moved upwardly, the fluid column thereabove tends to expand it radially into tighter frictional engagement with the well-casing.

Accordingly, in raising or lowering the cleaner it is desirable to by-pass the fluid around the packer, but since I have here shown duct G serving both asan intake passage leading to the main valve and as part of the by-passage, it becomes desirable that when the duct is used for intake purposes the by-pass ports opening to that duct above the packer be closed off. This prevents fluid from being drawn inwardly through the bypass ports from outside the isolated intake zone, which otherwise would minimize the localizing effect within that zone when chamber D is suddenly opened to receive a charge. A

Therefore, in the preferred embodiment of my invention I have shown means operable to close the by-pass ports and have' given member 46 the additional function of operating that closure, as will be described. It is to be noted, however, that when member 46 does not necessarily have the characteristics of a packer or when there is an absence of other external members on the cleaner which might offer substantial resistance to passage of the cleaner through the well-iiuid, the by-passing arrangement becomes unnecessary, and therefore all the following described particularities of member 46, the by-passage control, etc., are not to be considered as limitative on the broader aspects of the invention.

Member 46 is here illustrated as a packer of a type ,well known in the art, consisting of an upwardly opening cup 41 of rubber or other suitable resilient material held against tube-shoulder 48 by cup-member 49, the latter being held, in turn, by coupling 42. Cup 41 may be reenforced by spring-Wire 50. Hereinafter, member 46 will be referred to as a packer, but this reference-is subject to the reservations noted above.

In describing the internal mechanism of the cleaner, it will be assumed that the parts are in the positions of Figs. 1, 3 and 4. As will appear, a

and 4.

spring indicated at 5| has a constant tendency to project tube 4| from sleeve 40, or in other words, relatively to extend the telescopic assembly of tube and sleeve, and since these figures show the telescopic assembly contracted against the action of that spring, it will be assumed that shoe 43 is resting on an underlying support with the weight of body member C suflicient to compress the spring. Or it may be assumed that packer 46 is in frictional engagement with the well casing, thus resisting downward movement of tube 4| to an extent which has allowed the weight of the body member to compress spring 5| and thus hold the parts in the relative positions of Figs. 1, 3

A vertical passageway 52 extends axially of 15 valve body 35 to a passage 53 which extends diametrically through the plug-supporting and resetting pin 54 integral with and extending upwardly from said body. Passageway 52 opens 20 downwardly to a recess 55 to which the bore56 of cylinder 51 opens, said cylinder being threaded into the lower end of body 35. Plunger 58 is mounted for reciprocation in bore 56, the cylindrical face and top of the plunger being uted 25 as at 59 and 60, respectively, whereby bore 56 is in constant communication with recess 55. Likewise, stem 6| of plunger 58 is fluted at 62 whereby, when the plunger is in the position of Fig. 3, bore 56 is in communication with cham- 30 ber F and hence with well uid admitted through duct G. The underface 63 of plunger 58 is conical and adaptedV to seat at 64 on the cylinder head when said plunger is at the opposite end of its stroke.

The head 65 of valve-pin 66 (which may be broadly considered a part of plunger 58) is mounted for reciprocation in plunger bore 61, a spring 68 in this bore tending to urge pin 66 upwardly to close off the lower orice of passage 52. Port 69 opens into chamber 61 below head 65 while the t of pin 66 in bushing 16 is loose enough to admit uid to said chamber 61 from recess 55. Pin 66 and its associated elements may be considered a pilot or equalizing 45 valve-assembly controlling the ilow of fluid from valve chamber F to equalizingchamber E, while the lower end of plunger 58, as associated with seat 64, may be considered as a cut-off valve controlling reverse ilow from chamber E to chamber F during a later point in the cycle of operation.

Tube 4|, whose limit of upward movement within sleeve 40 is established by engagement of tube-shoulder 1| with the lower end of the 55 sleeve (Fig. 4), has, near its upper end, a fixed spider 12, stem 6| extending through this spider with sliding t and having xed collars 13 and 14 normally spaced from opposite sides thereof. Spring 5|, interposed between spider 12 and 60 head 13, is of such strength, that,l with tube 4| held stationary with respect to sleeve 40, it urges plunger 58 upwardly into engagement with the underside of valve-body 35 where it'is exposed within bore 56, and thus is adapted to urge 65 valve 34 upwardly to engage shoulder 36 with seat 38 and thus close oi bore or inlet opening 32a. Valve-pin 66 is at this time held by spring 68 in a position *o close passageway 52, it being noted there is vertical clearance between 70 the top of head 65 and the underside of bushing 16 in order to compensate for wear of the pin or its seat, the spring mounting of this valve pin also taking from it any burden of supporting valve body 35 with respect to plunger 58.

The tip 'I5 of pin 54 is of reduced diameter,l the conical connecting portion 'I6 between pinportions I5 and 'I'la serving as a cam, as will appear. Resting on tip 'I5 is a plunger generally indicated at 'I'I having a plug or closure portion 'I8 extending into bore 3Ia and thus forming a valve between chambers D' and E. I will term this valve a secondary or auxiliary inlet valve. A slotted guide stern 'I9 extends upwardly from plug-portion, 'I8 through bore 3Ia (Figs. 3 and 7), while below the plug-portion the plunger has an annular groove 88 presenting oppositely disposed, conical shoulders 8| and 82, both shoulders serving as cams during certain movements, and shoulder 82 additionally serving as a latchtaking shoulder during another phase of operation. The lower end of member I'I tapers inwardly and downwardly to provide 'a cam shoulder 83, while the underface 84 serves not only to take tip l5 when in the position of Fig. 3,-

but also to take latch shoulders under certain conditions. A

As will later appear, plunger 'Il is, during one phase of operation, projected into chamber D and later drops back through fluid standing in chambers D, E and bore 3I a. In order vto allow this return through the restricted opening represented by bore 3Ia, there may be provided slight annular clearance between plug i8 and the defining wall of bore 3Ia of an extent which will not seriously interfere with the proper operation of the plug as a closure member during the initial stage of the cycle of operation, or, as shown, by-pass duct 85 may be extended from the top of plug portion 'I8 between the arms of guide-stem 'I8 (Fig. 7) to a point below section I3. I have here shown duct 85 as opening laterally to the side of cam-head 86 through an orice nipple 81.

Section I4 is relatively thick-walled, being grooved at diametrically opposite sides, as at 88, to take oppositely disposed latches 89 (Figs. 3, 8 and 9) which are each centrally and pivotally supported from section I4 by pins 90. The latches are identical in construction and therefore only one need be described. Arm portions 9| and 92, at opposite sides of pin 90, terminate in noses or heads 93 and 94, respectively. Nose 93 has cam faces 95 and 96, while nose 94 has cam faces 91, 98 and an upwardly facing shoulder 99.

With the parts in the position of Fig. 1, it will be seen that stem portion 'IIa of valve 84 extends between the tips |00 of noses 94 to hold the lower ends of thelatches spread,l arm portions 92 engaging section I4 at the bottom of slots 88, thus holding noses 93 within groove 80 and hence with shoulders 96 overlying headshoulder 82,. though slightly spaced thereabove, to limit the extent of upward movement of plunger 'Il under forces later applied thereto.

At a point above packer 46, tube 4I is provided with by-pass ports IUI which, with the tube and sleeve 40 in the positions of Figs. 3 and 4, register with by-pass ports |82 in the sleeve, the

` ports preferably being of such size and relative arrangement that they will register in eiective part, at least, even though the tube and sleeve be relatively rotated. With ports IDI and I02 in registration, it will be seen that as the cleaner is lowered through the casing, well-fluid may be by-passed around the packer through intake ports 44, duct G and ports IDI, |82.

It will now be assumed that the cleaner is low-1 ered into the well with the parts in the positions of Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive', chambers D and E being at atmospheric pressure and the inlet and pilot valves being closed to prevent the inow of well fluid to chamber E. The frictional engagement of packer or shoe 46 with the well casing tends to retard downward movement of that packer and hence of tube 4I with respect to body member C and thus maintains the valves closed as shown in these gures, the lower end of sleeve 4I) engaging shoulder II of the tube to thrust the packer downwardly before it.

As soon as the uid in the well is entered, an additional force is imposed both on the main and pilot valves to hold them closed. That is, fluid pressure, measured by the differential between well and atmospheric pressure as electively exerted on opposite sides of the Valves, is preponderantly effective in a valve-closing direction over an area equal to the cross-sectional area of bore 32a. Considering the pilot Valve, per se, this pressure is elective in a closing direction over an area equal to the cross-sectional area of passage 52, it being noted that plunger 58 and all parts carried therebyare subjected to equalized fluid-pressure except for that area. Where the zone of operation is at any considerable depth, the well pressure effective to hold the main valve closed becomes of a very high value and, unless otherwise compensated, renders it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to unseat the valve with the actuating forces readily available. This diiculty is overcome in my device by the provision of the pilot valve and equalizing chamber, as will appear.

When the cleaner reaches the zone of operation, descent of the tool is checked and limited withdrawal movement is imparted thereto by reeling-in cable I8. Since packer 46 resists upward movement, due to its frictional engagement with well-casing A, relative extension of sleeve 40 and tube 4I occurs, stem 6 I rising through spider 12. During the initial period of extension, and before the Valves have been affected in any way, sleeve 40 blanks by-pass ports I8! (Fig. 6) so, upon the subsequent charging of the lowpressure chamber, fluid is drawn into duct G only through intake ports 44, which are below the packer the eITect of the charging thus being localized around those intake ports.

As spider 'I2 is thus drawn apart from head 13, the effectiveness of spring 5I decreases. However, it will first be assumed that the well pressure at the zone of operation is such that, with passage 52 of given cross-sectional area, it has sumcient eective value to support the weight of plunger 58 and thus hold the pilot valve closed, even though the effectiveness of spring 5I be completely lost by the time stem-head 'I4 has reached spider 72. With the spider 'I2 and head 'I4 in contact, plunger 58 is held from further upward movement during continued withdrawal movement of body C, cylinder 51 moving upwardly over the plunger and spring 68 holding pilot valve 66 closed until head 6 5 contacts the underside of bushing 10. Thereafter, continued upward movement of the body member opens the pilot valve and Well-fluid (which has been standing in bore 56, flutes 59, 60 and recess 55) is free to pass upwardly through passageway 52, 53'into equalizing chamber E, the upper end of which is still closed by plug 18. Due to the dierential in pressure at opposite ends of plunger l1, said plunger moves upwardly until faces 82 engage latch shoulders 96 (Fig. 5), though plug I8 is still in a position to close ofr bore 3Ia. What little uid may leak through orifice 81 and duct 85 to chamber D is negligible in amount. The

relatively small equalization chamber E is thus quickly filled with well-fluid which balances the 5 eect of the well pressure which has been eiiective in a main-valve closing direction and this balancing effect renders the main valve easily openable. Continued upward movement of body C engages shoulder 64 with plunger shoulder 63 l (Fig. 5) and thus shuts off further access of well fluid to the pilot valve. 'I'he engagement of shoulders 63 and Bil holds the main valve 34 against further upward movement along with the body member and hence moves seat 38 away l from valve-shoulder 36, the huid-balancing effect on the main valve having been completed during the time cylinder5'i and plunger 58 have moved from the relative positions of Fig. 3 to that of Fig.

5. While seat 38 is, in reality, drawn upwardly from closure 36, it will be seen that the movements are purely relative and that the main valve may be considered as downwardly openable.

During continued withdrawal movement of the body member, the valve parts move relatively from the positions of Fig. 5 to those of Fig. 11, stem portion 'i'i being withdrawn from between latch heads Sil so fluid pressure directed against the lower end of plunger Ti is free to move that plunger upwardly, latches 89 being spread at their upper ends by cam 82 to permit this movement. The plunger is thus projected by the fiuid pressure into chamber D and clear of bore 3la, the well-fiuid then rushing through intake ports M, duct G, chamber F, around valve-body 36,

bore 32a, chamber E and bore Sla into low pressure chamber D', the uid carrying with it foreign matter (which is to be bai1ed). Where the device is used as a perforation cleaner, the inrush sets up such movement in the well fiuid 40 surrounding the tool below the packer as to dislodge slugs of foreign matter in the perforations of the well-casing. The slugs (which are sometimes broken up by the uid action and sometimes are removed intact), usually, though not necessarily, are carried into chamber D along with the inrushing fluid.

Before prOCeeding with a description of subsequent loccurrences, I will point out the situationA Whelell the Opening of the valve is eiected a little differently as regards certain phases of operation. For this purpose, it will be assumed that at the zone of operation the effective well pressure is not self-sufficient to hold the pilotvalve closed (though sufficient to hold the main valve closed) full dependence being placed on spring 5|. In such a case, withdrawal movement of the barrel to effect valve-opening need then be only enough to overcome the effective pressure of spring 5 I, that is, it will be unnecessary to pull the pilot valve and main valve from their seats,

though the degree of relative extension of members 40 and 4| must still, of course, be sufiicient to allow full valve-opening. In such asituation, as soon as body member C has been lifted suiioiently to clear head 'I3 from spring 5|, the weight of plunger 58 and stem 6l will overcome the effective well pressure tending to hold the pilot valve closed and will allow that valve to open. Then, as soon as the pressures in chambers F and E are equalized, main valve 34 will drop by gravity to open position.

Now considering the parts in the positions of Fig. l1, it will be seen that continued withdrawal movement of the body member seats shoulders 31-39 (Fig. l2) valve 34 thereafter serving as a foot valve for retaining the charge in chambers D, E, and F, it being noted that the previous seating of shoulders 63, 64 within cylinder 5l prevents leakage of fluid from chamber F to duct G between stem 62 and the head of the cylinder 5 51 when the cleaner is subsequently raised through zones of lower pressure.

It will be remembered that plunger 'l1 has been projected into chamber D, but upon the charging of that chamber the plunger drops back towards 10 and past its original position, the inclined wall 13a guiding the lower head of the plunger into bore 3 la. The plunger drops between latch heads 93 to the position shown in Fig. 12, that is, to a position where head-shoulder 84 rests on latch 15` shoulders 99, in which position plug portion 'i8 is below bore Bla to leave chambers D and E in communication through that bore between the bifurcations of guide stem 19. Where plug portion i3 closely fits the bore, the descension of 20 plug through the restricted bore Sla is allowed in spite of the presence of the fluid body, due to the provisions of duct 85, as previously described. Should latch heads 93 by any chance be swung towards each other before they are reached by 25 Y the descending plunger, the plunger-shoulder 33 will spread the heads apart to permit passage of' the plunger to the position of Fig. 12, and, as soon as the plug portion i8 of the plunger enters between heads 93 the latches are positively held 30 from swinging outwardly at their low ends so there may be no possibility of the plunger dropping past the shoulder 99.

During the withdrawal' movement which has accomplished the shift of valve 35 from the po- 35 'sition of Fig. 11 to that of Fig. 12, the end of sleeve l0 has been drawn above by-pass ports IDI and by-pass ports lUZ have passed to the position above the upper end of tube il (Fig. 13).

It results that upon subsequent elevation of the 40 charged cleaner, well-fluid is again free to bypass the packer.

`When the parts are in the position of Figs. 12 and 13, the charging being completed and the by-passes fully open, tube lll and packer i6 are, 45 in effect, suspended on stem-head la and since said stem is supported on the shoulder 63 carried by valve 35 and valve 3i is supported on shoulder 39, upward movement of the last named shoulder by reason of elevation of body member 50 C serves to drag tube 4I and packer 46 upwardly along with body member C.

During the elevation of the charged cleaner, there arises a differential between the internal and external pressures imposed on the cleaner 55 body, but relief valve 2i allows a bleeding of chamber D to reduce the higher internal pressure and thus eliminates danger of bursting and allows subsequent unloading without danger or inconvenience to the operator. 50

After the cleaner is fully withdrawn from the well, chamber D may be unloaded in either of two ways. For instance, door 25 may be opened to discharge the material thereabove, such builtup internal pressure as has remained in the 55 chamber and generally measured by the strength of the relief-valve spring, giving the material an initial outward impulse. To prevent a substantial negative pressure from developing in the chamber which would otherwise prevent com- 70 plete unloading, plug 20 may be removed to permit inflow of air through valve I9 to the top of chamber D.

The fault with this type of unloading lies in the necessity of providing a sealed door in the 75 ing a passage extending through said closure and Y wall of the low-pressure chamber and in the fact that there will be no appreciable discharge of material from chambers E and F, and although complete evacuation of chambers E and F will occur when the valve mechanism is reset, it is preferable that both dumping andV resetting be accomplished by what amounts to a continuous operation'. Therefore the following procedure is preferred; with shoe 43 resting on the derrick floor or the bottom of a receiving sump, body member C islowered to a position which first closes the pilot valve and then, in eiect, lifts valve 34 approximately to the position of Fig. 11, it following that fluid within chambers D, E and F may flow downwardly and outwardly through bore 33a, duct G and ports 44, it being noted that plunger Il will not have been elevated .by pin 54 suiliciently to project plug 'i8 into bore 3Ia. When the chambers are empty, body member C is further lowered to reset the valves in positions of Fig. 3, stem tip 'l5 lifting plunger 'Il from shoulders 99 and putting plug portion 18 in a position to close of bore 3io. As cam 16 rides between latch heads 94, said heads are spread apart to throw heads 93 back into groove 80, and thus all parts are returned to the positions of Fig. 3 and the cleaner is in a condition to be lowered to take a new charge.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood this as to be considered as illustrative of and not limitative on the broader aspects of the invention, for various changes in design, structure and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1..In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an openable closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the inuence of wellpressure directed against one side thereof, 'there being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed, there being a passage adapted to pass well-fluid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, a valve for said passage and means for controlling said valve.

2. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an openable closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the influence of 'wellpressure directed against one side thereof, there being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed, there beadapted to pass well-uid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, a valve for said passage and means for controlling said valve.

3. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an openable closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the inuence of wellpressure directed against one side thereof, there being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed, there beinga passage adapted to pass well-uid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, a valve for said passage, means adapted normally to hold said valve closed, and means operable to open said valve.

4. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an

openable closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the influence of wellpressure directed against one side thereof, there being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed, there being a passage adapted to pass well-fluid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, a valve for said passage, means adapted normally to hold said valve closed, and means operableby predetermined movement of the body member to open said valve.

5. In a well cleaning device adapted to be lowered through a well-casing, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an openable closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the inuence of wellpressure directed against one side thereof, there lbeing a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed, there being a passage adapted to pass well-iiuid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, a valve for said passage, means adapted normally to hold said valve closed, and means shiftably carried on the body member and engageable with the well-casing, said shiftable means being operable by virtue of withdrawal movement of the body member to open the valve.

6. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an openable closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the influence of wellpressure directed against one side thereof, there being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed, there being a passage adapted to pass well-fluid from sai-d one side of the closure to said second chamber, a valve for said passage, means adapted normally to hold said valve closed, and means operable successively to open said va`lve and sai-d closure.

7. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet and an outlet, and a closure movable in one direction to close the inlet and movable in the other direction successively to open the inlet and close the outlet.

8. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet and an outlet, a closure movable in one direction to close the inlet .and movable in the other direction successively to open the inlet and close the outlet, and means movably mounted on the body memberand operatively connected to said closure, said last named means being adapted by virtue of its movement with respect to the body member to move said closure in said other'direction.

9. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet and outlet, a closure movable in an inlet-closing direction under the influence of well pressure directed against one side thereof and movable in the other direction successively to open the inlet and close the outlet, there being a second chamberto the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed, there being a passage adapted to pass well-fluid from said one side of the 'closure to said second chamber, a normally closed valve for said passage, and means operable successively to open said valve, move said closure to open the inlet, and move said closure to close the outlet.

10. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet opening at the lower end thereof, a closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the inuence of well pressure directed against one side thereof, a secondary valve in said chamber adapted, when closed, to divide said chamber into a relatively large main chamber and a relatively small equalizing chamber, the equalizing chamber being immediately above the closure, means normally holding said secondary valve closed, a passage adapted to pass well fluid from said one side of the closure to said equalizing chamber, a pilot valve normally closing said passage, means adapted to open said pilot valve whereby the fluid pressure at opposite sides of the closure is equalized to allow opening movement of the closure, said secondary valve being thereafter adapted to open to allow ow of well duid into said main chamber.

11. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet opening at the lower end thereof, a closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the influence of well pressure directed against one side thereof, a secondary valve in said chamber adapted, when closed, to divide said chamber into a relatively large main chamber and a relatively small equalizing chamber, the equalizing chamber being immediately above the closure, means normally holding said secondary valve closed, a passage adapted to pass Well fluid from said one side of the closure to said equalizing chamber, a pilot valve normally closing said passage, means adapted to open said pilot valve whereby the fluid pressure at opposite sides of the closure is equalized to allow opening movement of the closure, said secondary valve being thereafter adapted to open under the influence of well-pressure in the equalizing chamber to allow ow of well iluid into said main chamber.

12. In a Well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet opening at the lower end thereof, a closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the influence of well pressure directed against one side thereof, a secondary valve in said chamber adapted, when closed, to divide said chamber into a relatively large main chamber and a relatively small equalizing chamber, the equalizing chamber being immediately above the closure, means controlled by said closure and normally holding said secondary valve closed, a passage adapted to pass well uid from said one side of the closure to said equalizing chamber,

' a pilot valve normally closing said passage, means adapted to open said pilot valve whereby the uid pressure at opposite sides of the closure is equalized to allow opening movement of the closure,

' said secondary valve being thereafter adapted to open under the influence of well-pressure in the equalizing chamber to allow ow of well fluid into said main chamber.

13. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet opening at the lower end thereof, a closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the ,influence of well pressure directed against one side thereof, a seco-ndary valve in said chamber adapted, when closed, to divide said chamber into a relatively large main chamber and a relatively small equalizing chamber, the equalizing chamber being immediately above the closure, means normally holding said secondary valve closed, a passage adapted to pass well duid from said one side of the closure to said equalizingv chamber, a pilot valve'normally closing said passage, means adapted to open said pilot valve whereby the fluid pressure at opposite sides of the closure is equalized to allow opening movement of the closure, opening movement of said closure being adapted to release said secondary valve for opening movement under the inuence of Well-pressure in the equalizing chamber.

14. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet opening at the lower end thereof, a closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the influence of well pressure directed against one side thereof, a secondary valve in said chamber adapted, when closed, to divide said chamber into a relatively large main chamber and a relatively small equalizing chamber, the equalizing chamber being immediately above the closure, means normally holding said secondary valve closed, a passage adapted to pass .well fluid from said one side of the closure to said equalizing chamber, a pilot valve normally closing said passage, means adapted to open said pilot valve whereby the fluid pressure at opposite sides of the closure is equalized to allow opening movement of the closure, said secondary valve being thereafter adapted to open to allow ow of well uid into said main chamber, and means controllable from the exterior of the body member for subsequently returning said secondary valve to closed position.

15. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet opening at the lower end thereof, a closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the influence of well pressure directed against one side thereof, a secondary valve in said chamber adapted, when closed, to divide said chamber into a relatively large main chamber and a relatively small equalizing chamber, the equalizing chamber being immediately above the closure, said valve embodying a plunger having its upper end exposed to the main chamber and its lower end exposed to the equalizing chamber, means normally holding said secondary valve closed and embodying a latching member releasably engaging the plunger to prevent its movement into the main chamber, a passage adapted to pass well uid from said one side of the closure to said equalizing chamber, a pilot valve normally closing said passage, means adapted to open said pilot valve whereby the fluid pressure at opposite sides of the closure is equalized to allow opening movement of the closure, opening movement of said closure being adapted to free said plunger from said latching member and allow the plunger to move into the main Ichamber under the inuence of the fluid pressure in the equalizing chamber.

16. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet opening at the lower end thereof, a closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the influence of well pressure directed against one side thereof, a secondary valve in said chamber adapted, when closed, to divide said chamber into a relatively largevmain chamber and a relatively small equalizing chamber, the equalizing chamber being immediately above the closure, said valve embodying a plunger having its upper end exposed to the main chamber and its lower end exposed to the equalizing chamber, means normally holding said secondary valve closed and embodying a latch member adapted to engage the plunger to prevent its movement into the main chamber and a holding member on the closure adapted normally to hold said latch in such engagement, a passage adapted to pass well fluid from said one side of the closure to having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an

' openable closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the iniiuence of well-pressure directed againstone side thereof, there being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed,'there being a passage exten-ding through said closure and adapted to pass well-fluid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, and a normally closed valve for said passage, said valve embodying a plunger carried by the closure and mounted for reciprocation with respect thereto into and out of passage-closing position, and means for moving the plunger out of said position.

18.In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an openableclosure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the influence of well-pressure directed against one side thereof, there being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed, there being a passage extending through said closure and adapted to pass well-fluid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, and a normally closed valve for said passage, said valve lembodying a plunger carried by the closure and mounted for reciprocation with respect thereto into and out of passage-closing position, and means for moving the plunger out of said position, said last named means being subsequently operable to move the closure from inlet closing position.

19. In a well cleaning device, a, body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an

openable closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the inuence of wellpressure directed against one side thereof, there being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed, there being a passage extending through said closure and adapted to pass well-fluid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, a valve for said passage, said valveembodying a plunger carried by the closure and mounted for reciprocation with respect thereto into and out of passage-closing position, means normally holding the plunger in closing position and thereby holding the closure in inlet-closing position, and means for moving the plunger out of passageclosing position, said last mentioned means being subsequently operable to move the closure from inlet-closing position.

v20. In a well cleaning device, adapted to be lowered through a well-casing, a body member' having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an openable closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the influence of wellpressure directed against one side thereof, there being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed, there being a passage extending through said closure and adapted to pass well-fluid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, and a normallv closed valve for said passage, said valve embodying a plunger carried by the closure and mounted for reciprocation with respect thereto into and out of passage-closing position, and means shiftably carried by the body and engageable with the well-casing, said shiftable means being operatively connected to the plunger and being adapted to be shifted by virtue of withdrawal movement of the body member to move said plunger out of passage-closing position.

21. Ina well cleaning device, a body member 1 having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an openable closure for said inlet and movable inl a closing direction under the influence of Wellpressure directed against one side thereof, there being a second chamber to the interior of which 1 thev other side of the closure is exposed, there being a passage extending through said closure and adapted to pass well-fluid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, a valve for said passage, said valve embodying a plunger 2 carried by the closure and mounted for reeiprocation with respect thereto into and out of passage-closing position, means normally holding, the plunger in closing position and thereby holding the closure in inlet-closing position, and 2 means for moving the plunger out of passageclosing position and thereby freeing said closure for movement out of inlet-closing position.

22. In a well cleaning device adapted to be lowered through a well-casing, a body member 3 having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet and an outlet, a closure movable in one direction to close the inlet and movable in the other direction successively to open the inlet andA close theoutlet, and means movably mounted on the body 3 member and engageable with the well-casing, said means being operatively connected to said closure and being adapted by virtue of its movement with respect to the body member to movev said closure in said other direction.

23. In a well cleaning device, a body member havinga low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an openable closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the influence of Wellpressure directed against one side thereof, there i being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed and which isadapted to be put into communication with the first chamber, there being a passage adapted to pass well-fluid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, a valve for said passage, and means for controllingsaid valve.

24. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an

openable closure for said inlet and movable in 5 a closing direction under the influence of wellpressure directed against one sidev thereof, there being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed and which is adapted to be put into communication with the C first chamber, there being a passage adapted to pass well-fluid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, a. valve for said passage,.means for controlling said valve, a second valve normally closed to prevent communica- C tion between the two chambers, and means operable to allow the second valve to open.

25. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an openable closure for said inlet and movable in a 7 closing direction under the inuence of wellpressure directed against one side thereof, there being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed and which is adapted to be put into communication with the 75 rst chamber, there being a passage adapted to pass well-fluid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, a valve for said passage, means for controlling said valve, a second valve normally closed to prevent communication between the two chambers, and means operable by virtue of closure-opening movement to allow the second valve to open.

26. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet opening at the lower end thereof, a closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the influence of well pressure directed against one side thereof, a secondary valve in said chamber adapted, when closed, to divide said chamber into a relatively large main chamber and a relatively small equalizing chamber, the equalizing chamber being immediately above the closure, means normally holding said secondary valve closed, a passage adapted to pass well uid from said one side of the closure to said equalizlng chamber, a pilot valve normally closing said passage, means adapted to open said pilot valve whereby the fluid pressure at opposite sides of the closure is equalized to allow opening movement of the closure, said secondary valve being thereafter adapted to open to allow iiow of well uid into said main chamber, said secondary valve being subsequently returnable to closed position by virtue of subsequent movement of the closure in an inlet-closing direction.

27. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet opening at the lower end thereof, a closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the influence of well pressure directed against one side thereof, a secondary valve in said chamber adapted, when closed, to divide said chamber subsequently into a relatively large main chamber and a relatively small equalizing chamber, the equalizing chamber being immediately above the closure, means normally holding said secondary valve closed, a passage adapted to pass well uid from said one side of the closure to said equalizing chamber, a pilot va1ve normally closing said passage, means adapted to open said pilot valve whereby the fluid pressure at opposite sides of the closure is equalized to allow opening movement of the closure, said secondary valvebeing thereafter adapted to open to allow iiow of well iiuid into said main chamber, said secondary valve being returnable to closed position by virtue of subsequent movement of the closure in an inlet-closing direction, and means on said closure adapted thereafter to actuate said holding v means to hold said secondary valve in closed position.

28. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an openable closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the inuence of well-pressure directed against one side thereof, there being a second chamber to the interior of which the Y other side of the closure is exposed, there being a toward and away from the orifice of said passage,

a valve pin reciprocably carried by the plunger and spring-pressed in an oriiice-closing direction and adapted to close said orifice when the plunger is at one end of its reciprocatory stroke, and means for moving the plunger toward the other end of its stroke and thereby moving said valve pin from said oriice.

29. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet and outlet, a closure movable in an inlet-closing direction under the influence of well pressure directed against one side thereof and movable in the other direction successively to open the inlet and close the outlet, there being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed, there being a passage adapted to pass well-iiuid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, a normally closed valve for said passage, a packer on the body, there being a normally open well-uid by-pass through the body from top to bottom of the packer, and means operable successively to close the by-pass, open the valve, move said closure to open the inlet, and move said closure to close the outlet.

30. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet and outlet, a closure movable in an inlet-closing direction under the inuence of well pressure directed against one side thereof and movable in the other direction successively to open the inlet and close the outlet, there being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed, there being a passage adapted to pass well-fluid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, a normally closed valve for said passage, a packer on the body, there being a normally open well-fluid by-pass through the body from top to bottom of the packer, and means operable successively to close the by-pass, openthe valve, move said closure to open the inlet, move said closure to close the outlet, and re-open the by-pass.

31. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an openable closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the influence of wellpressure directed against one side thereof, there being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed, there being a passage adapted to pass well-uid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, a valve for said passage, means adapted normally to hold the valve closed, a packer on the body, there being a normally open well-fluid by pass through the body from top to bottom of the packer, and means operable successively t close the by-pass, open the valve, and open said closure.

32. In a well cleaning device, a body member having a low-pressure chamber with an inlet, an openable closure for said inlet and movable in a closing direction under the inuence of wellpressure directed against one side thereof, there being a second chamber to the interior of which the other side of the closure is exposed, there being a passage adapted to pass well-fluid from said one side of the closure to said second chamber, a valve for said passage, means adapted normally to hold the valve closed, a packer on the body, there being a normally open well-duid by pass through the body from top to bottom of the packer, and means operable successively to close the by-pass, open the valve, open said closure, and re-'open said by-pass.

JAMES T. BARKELEW. 

